The Half Brother

by Lars Saabye Christensen

I found this a haunting story. Set in Oslo, it is the tale of four generations seen through the eyes of Barnum, the youngest member of the family, a boy who doesn't grow. Barnum's half brother Fred, was conceived when his mother was raped - a tragedy that will scar every member of the family, Fred most of all.

Extract

The Old One fell silent and let go of Vera's hair. The nick on her neck wasn't the result of scratching. It resembled a bite mark, a blue dent in the skin made by teeth. She felt a sudden chill pass through her. 'What was it that happened up there in the loft, my child?' she whispered. 'Was someone bad to you?' Vera sank in her lap and wept silently - that was her only answer.